Brassiere



Nov. 17 1925.

F. M. STANLEY BRASS IERE Filed Feb. 12, 1923 Sheets-Sheet l Nov.'1'i, 1925.

F. M. STANLEY BRASS IERE Filed Feb. 12, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 17, 1925.

FIiOBENCE M. STANLEY OF LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY.

.ianassm m. I

Application filed February 12, 1923. Serial No. 618,570.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FLORENCE M. STAN- LEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lexington, in the county of Fayette and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Brassiere, of which the following is a specification. i

This invention relates to womens undergarments known as brassieres.

The object of the invention is to construct such a garment so as to harmonize with womens gowns of the day imparting to the figure that much sought-forgrace of the ancient Greeks and Romans and by the use of which both comfort and attractivness in appearance are obtained.

Another object of the invention is to provide a garment of this character so constructed as to preserve the natural outline or form and character of'the bust, being especially adapted for use without a corset affording the necessary support for the bust to -prevent its shaking and wobbling and yet avoid shapelessly compressing the bust, and which also operates as a hose supporter, the strain exerted by the pull of the hose being borne by "the shoulders without any binding at the waist.

Another object is to provide a brassiere so formed as to support the bust inthe manner above set forth and which combineslightness and coolness with the necessary strength.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed 'may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 represents a perspective view taken from the front of this improved support. shown applied.

Fig. 2 is a similar view taken from the rear with parts broken out.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged rear elevation of the back. parts being broken out.

Fig. 4 is a detail longitudinal section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detail rear elevation showing the fastening which connects the backwith the underarm portion. 1

.in properly supporting it.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view takenv on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3 and v Fig. 7 is a detail side elevation of a slightly different form of the invention showing an additional fabric insert for the underarm portion.

In the embodiment illustrated, the garment constituting this invention comprises a substantially V-shaped inelastic tape with the apex 2 thereof extending downwardly and adapted to be located between the breasts at the base thereof and to which is connected an inelastic tape 3 which depends therefrom and has elastic branches 4 and 5 connected with its lower end and equipped with hose-engaging fasteners 6 which may be of any suitable, or desired construction, the straps 4 and 5 being adjustable to adapt the device for persons of different heights.

Shoulder straps 7 and 8 composed of inelastic fabric have the upper ends of the V-shaped tape 1 stitched or otherwise secured thereto at the front of the garment as is shown clearly in Fig. 1. These straps 7 and 8 extend downwardly from their points of connection with the tape 1 being designed to lie at the sides of the bust adjacent the underarm portion of the wearer and merge into depending extensions 9 and 10 equipped at their lower ends with elastic straps 11 which have hose engaging fasteners 12 at their lower ends for-connection with the sides ofthe hose.

The shoulder straps 7 and 8 extend rearwardly and merge into back straps 13 and- 14 which are connected by an elastic web-.

bing back member ,15 as shown in Fig. '2 or by horizontally disposed elastic straps 16 and 16" shown in Fig. 7.

Horizontally disposed straps 19 and 19" preferably composed of inelastic tape are connected at one end with the back straps 13 and 14 as shown clearly in Figs. 2 and 3 and at their front ends with the side straps of the extensions of the shoulder straps 7 and 8. A body encircling tape 22 is connected at the junction of the tape 1 with the strap 3 and is designed to lie directly under the bust of the wearer to assist strap '22 or with strap: 14 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The strap 19' is similarly connected with strap 14 to facilitate the application and removal of the garments.

The end 20 of U is detachably connected with the other end of strap 22 as shown in Fig. 5

the tape 1 and the shoulder straps 7 and 8 and at its lower edge is also gathered so as to provide the necessary fullness to adapt the strap to fit snugly over the breasts so that they will be supported and firmly held without flattening them or marring the shape thereof.

The foraminous' fabric covering 21 may ,be extended under the arms, being attached to the side tapes 9 and 10 and to the back straps 13 and 14, one section of which is shown in Fig. 7. 'This form is especially adapted for stout figures providing a wide band extending substantially around the body of the wearer and formed by the two netting connected spaced straps.

The back straps 13 and 14 extend downwardly to any desired length, preferably terminating near the waist line of the wearer and are equipped with but-tons or other fasteners for the attachment of the bands of shirts to be Worn so that the weight of these garments will be supported from the shoulders of the wearer, similar fa-stenings 9 and 10 being carried by the front straps .9 and-10.

Any suitable fastening means may be pro vided for connecting the underarm straps with one of the back straps, hooks and eyes 24 being here shown, (see Fig. 5).

The elastic webbing 15 at the back is for the purpose of adjustment adapting the gar- I ment to the size and shape of the wearer, and

if desired, the straps 16 and 16 may be substituted to render the garment lighter and cooler.

The shoulder straps 7 and 8 are preferably provided with tucks shown at 18 to adapt the garment to be adjusted to bring the strip '22 close up under the bust thus regulating the height of the garment both front and back to suit the wearer. I

The arrangement of the V-shaped strap 1 forms an important feature of the invention since it operates to preserve the natural contour and character of the bust by supporting.

shapelessly compresses the bust and causes it to be forced upwardly into an uncomfortable position.

Thus it will be seen that the strap 1 in conjruiction with the straps 7 and 8 and their extensions naturallyand elfici'ently support the bust from the shoulders in the correct position and the covering 21 is preferably made of heavy netting providing a garment possessing the elements of lightness and coolness combined with the necessary strength. Various changes in the form, shape, proportion, and other minor details of construction may be made without departingfrom the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the claimed invention.

I claim A garment of the class described comprising a substantially V-shaped inelastic breast engaging tape with the apex thereof extending downwardly and adapted to be located between the breasts of the user at the base thereof, an inelastic tape secured to the apex of said breast engaging tape and depending therefrom, and equipped with elastic branches having hose-engaging fasteners, a body encircling tape secured to the apex of said V-shaped tape to be passed around the wearers body just below the bust, shoulder straps to extend over the outer plortions of the shoulders the ends of said V-s aped tape being secured to said shoulder straps at the the user, said straps intersecting and-secured to the body encircling tape, means connecting theback members of said straps, and

hose supporters carried by said shoulder straps.-

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature.

FLORENCE M. STANLEY. 

